Thursday, July 1, 2010

Day 31: Feelin' Groovy

I was surprised how much yesterday's Defiant Enjoyment Project worked! Were you? I had several moments yesterday where I beat back negative, discouraging thoughts by focusing on green trees and happy tunes on the radio...and somehow that gave me extra momentum to jump into a few fun things I'd normally pass by. As I was driving along at one point, I heard this song, which captured the spirit of the day's adventure:



How did it go for you? We haven't done much checking in here, so I thought today might be good day for that. And also for us to do a repeat of sorts. Here's why: I don't want to remember having had an exceptionally un-discouraging day on June 30th, as if it was this once-a-year miracle and I have to drag myself through 364 more days before I can try again. I'm curious to see if this defiant enjoyment thing has any staying power, and if we might string, say, TWO not discouraging days together??? (I know, I'm a big dreamer...)

I've talked to so many people over the past few months about waiting. We don't like to feel that we're in a holding pattern until things align for us to "land": in the right job, a great relationship, a community where we feel like we're part of a team. But sometimes we are, and no matter what books and magazines tell us, there's nothing we can do that will change that...but plenty we can force that will make us crash. We don't want to crash.

Now, to be clear: I'm not suggesting that this "mind over matter/choose to be chipper" attitude is a long term solution and all we need in life. Eventually, we need a place to land. But if we're in a holding pattern, and it's temporary, why not make the best of it?

How did defiant enjoyment go for you? Are you willing to give it another day?

Here's to feelin' groovy :)

4 comments:

Sarakastic said...

It's weird but I was waiting to be happy/have fun/enjoy things until the holiday without really knowing that I was doing that. Now that I recognize that it seems silly.

vee said...

I am definitely willing to give myself room today for more defiant enjoyment. OH YEAH!!!

larramiefg said...

To quote another song: "Don't worry, be happy."

KimberlyH said...

After spending all morning at work inside plus a meeting through lunch, at 3pm I stepped outside to spend 3 wonderful minutes standing in the sunshine. It was lovely.